altara

Friday, January 20, 2006

SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the News That may be True

News Item: Everyone, except for Bush and his appointees, agrees that the new prescription drug benefit is off to a rocky start. Many older Americans have been so intimidated by the plan's complexities that they did not sign up; others have found themselves leaving pharmacies without the medicines they need because their old drug benefits have been canceled and they aren't on the list for the new program. Many states have found it necessary to step in and arrange for receipt of the drugs needed.

Comment: All this is not too surprising when you consider how the Bush administrationhad to twist the plan so that their contributors, the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, would get major benefits. Instead of placing the program under Medicare, an efficient and lower cost option, the administration chose to benefit the private sector, causing a needless array of plans, higher costs, and complications. The result is a system that looks as though it was designed by ex-FEMA director Michael Brown. Heck of a job, Mr. Bush.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the NewsThat may be True

News Item: Greenspan to hit speaker circuit. Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan will join other top drawer speakers available for corporate and other events. His fee is expected to be $150,000 per appearance.

Comment: Out of this handsome fee, is Mr. Greenspan required to pay for the interpreter?

Monday, January 16, 2006

SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the NewsThat May Be True

News Item: Outgoing PBS president, Pat Mitchell, has urged that Oprah Winfrey become the sponsor of Masterpiece Theatre. That acclaimed program has been without a sponsor since Exxon Mobil withdrew in 2004. She noted that Ms Winfrey could easily afford to support the program and that the success of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club virtually guaranteed the success of the proposed joint venture.

Comment: So it may be Oprah's Masterpiece Theatre. Well and good as a way to preserve this important program. But what say will Oprah have on the content? Will we see dramatizations of her book selections, such as the infamous “ A Million Little Pieces" or "Honeymoon With My Brother"? Or programs based on weight loss, postpartum depression, or food shopping? Probably not, but beware if more and more of the Masterpiece dramas star Tom Cruise.